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BMC Geriatrics
Published in: BMC Geriatrics 1/2011

Open Access 01-12-2011 | Research article

Effects of whole-body vibration on postural control in elderly: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Authors: Slavko Rogan, Roger Hilfiker, Kaspar Herren, Lorenz Radlinger, Eling D de Bruin

Published in: BMC Geriatrics | Issue 1/2011

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Abstract

Background

This systematic review was performed to summarize the current evidence for whole body vibration (WBV) interventions on postural control in elderly.

Methods

English and German language papers in Medline, PEDro, Cinahl and the Cochrane databases were searched. Two reviewers extracted data on patients' characteristics, type of WBV intervention and outcomes. Two independent reviewers rated the methodological quality of these studies. Data were pooled using random-effects meta-analysis.

Results

Fifteen papers reporting quantitative data were included. Results from 15 papers could be pooled for a meta-analysis. The studies involved 933 participants. In 7 studies the authors investigated the effects of vibration plates generating vertical sinusoidal vibrations (VS-WBV) and 7 papers described the use of side-alternating sinusoidal vibrations (SS-WBV). One study investigated both VS-WBV and SS-WBV.
Weak to moderate evidence of an overall effect as a result of VS-WBV and SS-WBV was observed for (a) static balance for post-intervention values with a standardized mean difference (SMD) -0.06, 95% CI -0.31 to 0.18 and for change values SMD -0.26, 95% CI -1.09 to 0.57, and (b) dynamic balance for post-intervention-values SMD -0.34, 95% CI -0.60 to -0.08. For functional balance (c) an overall outcome for post-intervention values with SMD of 0.34, 95% CI -0.19 to 0.87 was found.

Conclusions

The 15 studies reviewed were of moderate methodological quality. In summary, SS-WBV seems to have a beneficial effect on dynamic balance in elderly individuals. However, the current results should be interpreted with caution because of the observed heterogeneity of training parameters and statistical methods. Future studies are warranted to evaluate the effects of WBV on postural control in an elderly population.
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Metadata
Title
Effects of whole-body vibration on postural control in elderly: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors
Slavko Rogan
Roger Hilfiker
Kaspar Herren
Lorenz Radlinger
Eling D de Bruin
Publication date
01-12-2011
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Geriatrics / Issue 1/2011
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2318
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2318-11-72

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